Following a few frenetic days of racing – highlighted by the G1 Maturity Classic, G3 Fireball and Victorian Straight Track Championship heats – the ‘volume’ gets ‘turned down’ a little.

But you’ll still ‘hear’ plenty of enticing action today – particularly at Shepparton featuring Fernando Bluey (G1 Australian Cup runner-up).

Fernando Bluey (19 from 37 – 7 from 7 Box 1) v Oriental Amber (21 from 43 – 4 from 5 Trk/Dst) has all the hallmarks of a ‘need for speed’ battle in a FFA (385m).

Runner-up to Tommy Shelby in the G1 Australian Cup, Fernando Bluey (11 of past 17) was narrowly beaten by dual country cups hero Ferdinand Boy in a new TR (21.31sec) over 385m here three weeks ago.

Ironically, the previous mark was held by G2 Ballarat Cup finalist Oriental Amber (5 from 7 Box 2) who remains Horsham’s 410m TR holder (22.64sec).

Another intriguing face-off is Handsome Jack (12 from 44 – 4 of past 6) v Braemar Prince (12 from 27) in the GRV Vic Bred Series Grade 5 final (450m).

The adaptable pair also excel ‘up the straight’ at Healesville where Handsome Jack was a Derby finalist and Braemar Prince a Winter Cup finalist.

Meanwhile, Shanlyn Cripps (4 from 11 – 2 from 3 Trk/Dst) is living up to his AFL namesake – Carlton star Patrick Cripps. He’s won 2 of his past 3, both over 385m here.

Here’s an extensive analysis of today’s Must Watch Race, and be sure to scroll down further for ? The Watchdog’s $10 spend…

? MUST-WATCH RACE: Netfind Pty Ltd Free For All

FERNANDO BLUEY ? ORIENTAL AMBER ? GOT A TRUMP ? RILYNN BALE

? Shepparton ? Race 7 ? 385m ⏱ 9:12pm

Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541501/race/7

The Watchdog says ?: Group 1 Australian Cup runner up FERNANDO BLUEY (1) has come up with the gun draw tonight, however he runs into a few fellow jetliners and he can’t afford to make any mistakes. He has been brilliant in his two runs since returning from a spell and if he can reproduce his performance when placed behind superstar Ferdinand Boy here in track record time, he should prove hard to reel in. He went through the first marker in a dynamic 7.93sec that night and that would be enough to see him hold the top through the first bend. If the track is in good condition, he could press the record (21.31sec). ORIENTAL AMBER (2) previously held the track record here with a blistering 21.35sec performance and she is still racing at that type of level at present. She probably can’t match ‘Bluey’ in the first 100m, but she will get a nice trail behind him and if he is slightly off his game she will be there to capitalise. RILYNN BALE (4) is a phenomenal talent having won a staggering 31 races from 66 attempts and she is one of the most reliable beginners in the game. She will need to spear the lids to cross the red, and we know she is more than capable of doing that, so she may cause a minor boilover. GOT A TRUMP (2) rounds out the serious chances. He has been enormous in his past two wins here and is armed with breathtaking mid race pace. If he can find the rail initially, he should get a nice run through in the middle stages and he is a must for your exotic bets.

Selections:  1 – 3 – 4 – 2

? THE WATCHDOG’S $10 INVESTMENT ?
? Monday 26 July

? $1 Quaddie – 12.50% (8 combinations)
? Warrnambool ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 1:19pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541503/race/5

?: 5,7
? ?: 4,5,6,7
? ? ?: 1
? ? ? ?: 1

The Watchdog says ? : DON’T FORGET KEV (5) and YUSSUF BALE (7) are both very strong types and look suitably graded in the first leg. The second leg is open, so we have gone wider, whilst ASTON VALUE (1) and STAR SHOOTER (1) are both well drawn in the final two legs and are expected to dominate.

? $3 Multi

First ?: Win – ASTON VALUE
? Warrnambool ? Race 7 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 1:54pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.25 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541503/race/7

Second ?: Win – SKINNY LEGEND
? Cranbourne ? Race 4 ? Box 1 ? 520m ⏱ 3:32pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.85 Win
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541502/race/4

Third ?: Place – RAHIM BALE
? Shepparton ? Race 4 ? Box 4 ? 450m ⏱ 8:10pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541501/race/4

Fourth ?: Win – LIGHTS ACTION
? Shepparton ? Race 5 ? Box 1 ? 450m ⏱ 8:28pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.65 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541501/race/5

The Watchdog says ? : ASTON VALUE (1) is drawn to lead throughout, whilst SKINNY LEGEND (1) resumes after a long spell and she trialled well in preparation for this assignment. RAHIM BALE (4) was colossal two runs back. He will be charging to the line and a top three finish looks likely. LIGHTS ACTION (1) is racing with confidence and there should be no excuses from the inside draw.

Multi price: $5.15

? $2 Quaddie – 8.33% (24 combinations)
? Ballarat ? Races 5 – 8 ⏱ 4:22pm
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541500/race/5

?: 1
? ?: 1,3
? ? ?: 4,5,6
? ? ? ?: 3,5,7,8

The Watchdog says ? : BURNING UP (1) appears to have plenty on his rivals and looks to be a good anchor. LAWSON DRIVE (1) and ELEORA BALE (3) should assume control mid race and battle out the finish. The middle division hold the class edge in the third leg and either one of those runners can burn to the lead at the first bend. We have gone wider in the last leg in the hope of securing some value.

? $2 Multi

First ?: Win – SHANLYN CRIPPS
? Shepparton ? Race 3 ? Box 4 ? 385m ⏱ 7:48pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.15 Win
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541501/race/3

Second ?: Place – BONGINO
? Shepparton ? Race 9 ? Box 2 ? 385m ⏱ 9:54pm
TAB fixed odds: $2.10 Place
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541501/race/9

Third ?: Place – NITRO GEORGIE
? Shepparton ? Race 10 ? Box 1 ? 385m ⏱ 10:10pm
TAB fixed odds: $1.35 Place
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541501/race/10

The Watchdog says ? : SHANLYN CRIPPS (4) is normally very reliable at box rise and he should be able to cross and lead throughout. BONGINO (2) is never far away at Shepparton and he should follow the red through in the initial stages of the race. NITRO GEORGIE (1) has terrific early pace and if she can hold the lead at the bend a top three finish looks likely.

Multi price: $6.09

? $2 Place – GOT A TRUMP
? Shepparton ? Race 7 ? Box 3 ? 385m ⏱ 9:12pm              ***Must Watch Race***
TAB fixed odds: $3.50 Place (top two finish required)
Form ?  https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666541501/race/7

The Watchdog says ? : He runs into several high profile chasers, but he has a monster engine and if he can find the rail soon after box rise he can make a big move mid race and cause an upset. We have gone the place option as it is the safer investment as one of the big guns may get away early on, however ‘Trump’ will charge late, and he appears to be value for a top two finish.

? RECENT $10 INVESTMENTS ?
Sunday 25 July: $0 (-100%)
Saturday 24 July: $23.04 (+130%)
Friday 23 July: $0 (-100%)
Thursday 22 July: $10 (Even)
Wednesday 21 July: $17.52 (+75%)
Tuesday 20 July: $17.69 (+77%)
Monday 19 July: $0 (-100%)

Past 7 days: $68.25 for $70 invested (-3%)
Past 14 days: $157.49 for $140 invested (+12%)
Past 28 days: $315.11 for $280 invested (+13%)

? MONTH x MONTH RECORD

June 2021: $324.38 for $300 (+8%)

NOTE: June was the first full-month of the new-look Daily Mail, in which The Watchdog has a $10 daily spend.

*Please gamble responsibly